Iola girls took second place Saturday at the Kansas State High School Activities Association Powerlifting state meet.
The Mustangs, who also hosted the meet, finished behind state champion Chapman with 202 points.
“It was a great day overall. It was awesome, even for some of our kids who didn’t medal, we had a lot of kids PR today,” Iola coach Mike Wilhelm said. “That was our goal going in — just to do better than what we’ve been doing. That’s what we did, and we got second place.”
Iola’s Brooklyn Ellis won the 148-pound weight class state championship with a first place 165-pound clean lift, a first-place 295-pound squat and a third-place 130-pound bench. After Ellis began with a personal best on the bench, it was all downhill from there. 
Iola High School senior 148-pound Brooklyn Ellis clears her third attempt on the squat during Saturday’s state powerlifting meet inside IHS. Ellis finished the top pound-for-pound female lifter in Saturday’s competition.
“It was a good way to start the day. Bench is not always my strongest lift,” Ellis said. “I was excited. It was a good last meet. I’m going to Ozark Christian College next year. I’m very thankful for my team and my coaches. I think I took a couple of risks. I tried for a PR in everything.”
At 165 pounds, Abigail Jerome took second place finished first in her class in clean with 159 pounds, first in squat with 270 pounds and second in bench with 140 pounds.
senior Elza Clift throws up her second attempt in the clean. Clift finished second in the 123-pound weight class.
“I am very grateful. I have a lot of support in my life. It wouldn’t have mattered if I got last place,” said Jerome, whose father was her spotter in the squat. “I still have people super proud of me. I am super grateful. My dad is my biggest supporter. It’s amazing having him right behind me and guiding myself through every lift. I am proud of myself for getting a PR in the clean.”
While splitting time as the Mustangs’ ace pitcher, senior Elza Clift made some time to take second in the state in the 123-pound weight class. She cleared a 105 bench, 210 squat and 150 hang clean for a total of 465 pounds. Just behind her in fourth was her catcher, senior Harper Desmarteau, who took fourth with a 95-pound bench, 170-pound squat and a 120-pound clean for a total weight of 385 pounds.
Abigail Jerome gets a spot from her father James Jerome while clearing her rep on the squat rack. Jerome took second in the 165-pound weight class
For the boys, the Mustangs finished fifth in the competition. Brody Thompson was the only IHS medalist for the boys, but plenty of lifters contributed to the outcome with top 10 finishes. Thompson took second after clearing a 190-pound bench, a 375-pound squad and a 265-pound clean for 930 total pounds.
“I am very happy about it.,” Thompson said. “Last year I missed the state meet, so I was very happy about getting second. I was working toward 900 overall. I think I was 30 pounds over that. I have to get first place next year.”
With multiple success stories from Saturday, Wilhelm said he is excited to see how his team develops over the offseason and hopes to keep a bit more hardware in Iola next year.
“You can never totally prepare for state, because it’s the biggest event of the year,” Wilhelm said. “They did a great job and they didn’t fold. They had a lot of PRs, so obviously they were ready today. It couldn’t have gone any better.” 
Brody Thompson clears his final bench attempt inside the IHS gymnasium. Thompson finished second in the 172-pound weight class.
Other results
Girls — 105: Kandrella McCullough (fourth) — 70 bench, 130 squat and 95 hang clean — 295 total. 114: Kesha Smith (fifth) — 100 bench, 145 squat and 105 hang clean — 350 total. 132: Alana Mader (eighth) — 85 bench, 135 squat and 105 clean — 325 total; Jordan Spillman (seventh) — 90 bench, 195 squat and 90 clean — 375 total. 140: Jordyn Potter (eighth) — 90 bench, 145 squat and 85 clean — 320 total; Leilani Keanaaina (sixth) — 95 bench, 190 squat and 140 clean — 425 total. 148: Church Grundy (eighth) — 55 bench, 95 squat and 80 clean — 230 total; Kaysin Cruisinbery (sixth) — 100 bench, 175 squat and 130 clean — 405 total. 156: Christina Lopez (ninth) — 70 bench, 160 squat and 80 clean — 310 total; Faith Warden (fourth) — 125 bench, 235 squat and 170 clean — 530 total. 165: Reese Curry (sixth) — 100 bench, 180 squat and 130 bench — 410 total. 181: Zoie Hesse (fifth) — 120 bench, 210 squat and 145 clean — 475 total. Power Weight: Ana Velazquez (ninth) — 120 bench, 235 squat and 120 clean — 475 total; Lainey Oswald fourth — 145 bench, 260 squat and 165 clean — 580 total.
Boys — 114: Colton Thompson (fifth) — 115 bench, 130 squat and 125 clean — 370 total; Broden Westerman (sixth) — 75 bench, 140 squat and 110 clean — 325 total. 132: Ruger Boren (ninth) — 135 bench, 245 squat and 175 clean — 555 total; Adriel Pina (fourth) — 175 bench, 285 squat and 165 clean — 625 total. 140: Drake Genoble (seventh) — 135 bench, 195 squat and 135 clean — 465 total; Beau Erickson (fifth) — 155: bench, 225 squat and 145 clean — 525 total. 165: Kale Pratt (seventh) — 210 bench, 275 squat and 225 clean — 710 total. 172: Landon Shelton (tenth) — 175 bench, 315 squat and 210 clean — 700 total; Ean De La Torre (fourth) 260 bench, 345 squat and 225 clean — 830 total. 181: Gavin Jones (seventh) — 220 bench, 350 squat and 255 clean — 825 total. 198: Lucas Maier (tenth) — NO LISTED BENCH, 315 squat and 235 clean — 550 total.
